Board of Zoning Appeals

Welcome to the Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is an independent agency authorized to hear appeals in matters related to the zoning ordinances. Board members are appointed by the County Commissioners.  The Board is required to follow procedures set forth by the County and State, and to evaluate the facts in each case. 

The board hears a variety of petitions, including variances from development standards to the local zoning ordinances, special exceptions, and  use variances. The Board of Zoning Appeals is defined by law as a quasi-judicial board, which means that the decisions that they make are final, and can only be overturned by a judge in a court of law.

Applying to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) can be a complex process. Applications require legal advertising in the local paper and notice sent to all adjacent land owners. The Public Hearing can not be held sooner than 10 days after advertising. 

Variances

The variance procedure is intended to provide a means by which relief may be granted from unforeseen particular applications of the Zoning Resolution that create practical difficulties or particular hardships.

Special Exceptions

Conditional Uses are those having some special impact or uniqueness which require a careful review of their location, design, configuration and special impact to determine, against fixed standards, the desirability of permitting their establishment on a given site.

Appeals

The Area Board of Zoning Appeals (ABZA) has the authority to hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in an order, requirement, decision or determination made by an administrative official in the enforcement of the Zoning Resolution for Fountain County.

Applications